Electrostatic Dust Filter Layout for Easier Air Conditioner Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioner systems with electric dust collecting devices face challenges in maintaining a high dust collection rate and convenience in cleaning due to the accumulation of pollutants and the complexity of their structures.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a first filter unit with spaced discharge electrode plates and a second filter unit connected to ground, facilitating corona discharge for enhanced dust collection without the need for counter electrodes, allowing for a simplified structure and improved cleaning convenience by maximizing the number of discharge and earth electrode plates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If discharge electrodes and counter electrodes are disposed parallel to each other in the electric dust collecting device, then corona discharge can be generated for dust collection, but the structure becomes complex and cleaning becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collection functionVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the counter electrode component from the traditional parallel electrode structure, extracting only the necessary discharge electrode and ground-connected collecting electrode configuration. This simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the corona discharge dust collection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The collecting electrode serves dual functions: it acts as both the collecting surface for charged particles and the ground reference for corona discharge, eliminating the need for a separate counter electrode. This multi-functionality reduces structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If discharge electrodes and counter electrodes are disposed parallel to each other in the electric dust collecting device, then corona discharge can be generated for dust collection, but cleaning convenience deteriorates due to accumulated pollutants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collection functionVSAvoidcleaning convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the dust collecting device into two separable units: a first filter unit containing discharge electrodes and a second filter unit containing collecting electrodes. This segmentation allows the second filter unit to be independently removed and cleaned, significantly improving maintenance convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the collecting electrode assembly into a separate, removable second filter unit that can be independently accessed for cleaning. This extraction enables users to easily remove and clean the pollutant-collecting component without disassembling the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If the number of discharge electrode plates is maximized in the same surface area, then electrical charging rate is enhanced, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical charging rateVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple discharge electrode plates into a single integrated first filter unit assembly. This combining approach allows multiple electrodes to be arranged efficiently within the same surface area to maximize charging rate, while the unified assembly reduces structural complexity compared to separate electrode components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enhances the electrical charging and collection efficiency of dust, simplifies the structure, and facilitates easier maintenance by allowing only the second filter unit to be removed and cleaned, thereby improving air cleaning effectiveness and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a high voltage generator electrically connected to all of the plurality of discharge electrode plates, and a second filter unit disposed downstream of the first filter unit in an air flow direction and connected to a ground to cause corona discharge between the discharge electrode plates and the second filter unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

whereby particles electrically charged by corona discharge are collected at the second filter unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic deposition: Electrostatic Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP2960590B1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2960590B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2960590B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2960590B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air conditioner having an electric dust collecting device are disclosed. The electric dust collecting device includes a first filter unit including a plurality of discharge electrode plates which are spaced apart from each other and have spaces defined therebetween, a high voltage generator electrically connected to all of the plurality of discharge electrode plates, and a second filter unit disposed downstream of the first filter unit in an air flow direction and connected to a ground to cause corona discharge between the discharge electrode plates and the second filter unit, whereby particles electrically charged by corona discharge are collected at the second filter unit. The first filter unit has a simplified structure, and cleaning effect is improved.